1. Native American Art

2. Native Americans...
Were the first people to live in North America. They lived in many different tribes across the land.

3. Why did Native Americans create Art?
Native Americans artworks
served a purpose:
For example:
*Blankets to keep warm
*Pottery for cooking
*Rock paintings to pass
along stories
*Baskets for storage

4. What Does Native American Art Look Like?
Mostly neutral and warm colors
Lots of geometric shapes
Patterns!
Often tells a story with symbols

5. Baskets *Were made out *Were used for of many different
materials including
grass, stems, and
animal hairs
*Were used for
storage and
carrying things

6. Pottery The Native Americans used clay pottery to hold
water, store grains,
and preserve seeds
for the next planting
season.

7. Blankets & Weaving Native Americans used cotton and
wool to weave rugs,
blankets, and clothing.
They used many
geometric
shapes and patterns
in their weavings.

8. Totem Poles
A totem pole can be a symbol of a tribe, family, or individual person. Native Americans believed that the animals on the poles would represent them and guard their lives. Totem poles were carved out of trees and then painted.

9. Cave/Rock Paintings Native Americans painted symbols on and
cave walls. These
paintings told
stories of families,
traditions, and
everyday life.

10. Sand Painting Sand paintings were created
for the purpose of healing. Most
tribes used crushed stones, flowers,
and other natural items to make
these paintings. The sand paintings
were believed to restore people to
health.

11. Dream Catchers
Dream catchers were believed to”catch bad dreams while letting good dreams through the center. The good dreams would glide down the feathers to the sleeping person and the bad dreams would get caught in the strings of the dream catcher. The hoop shape stands for strength and unity.

12. Thunder Birds The thunderbird was considered a
supernatural bird of power and strength.
These birds were often found in Native
American stories and artworks.